Shelters & Sleeping

If you are headed into the wilderness, hiking out to your retreat location or have been displaced by an emergency situation, shelter and sleeping take on a new importance. Those of us fortunate to have a stable place to live may easily forget about the importance of shelter and sleeping. Shelter and sleeping are not only required in order to sustain life but the better your shelter and sleeping situation in an emergency, the better able to deal with the situation you will be. While shelters can be anything from a high-end backpacking tent, to a makeshift lean-to made from a few tarps strung up, adequate shelter is a basic necessity of life. The main purpose of a survival shelter is to allow you to survive. This primarily means protecting you from the elements but could also involve providing an adequate place to store your gear, prepare your meals discreetly, care for a sick or injured party member, etc.

What you choose to have on hand in terms of an emergency or survival shelter will depend largely on your situation. What is the climate like where you live? Are you planning on staying put (bugging in), bugging out on foot, bugging out in the car? If a natural disaster strikes and you have to evacuate where are you going to go? Answering these questions will help direct you to the right type of shelter for you and your family.

Survival Shelters

Survival shelters can refer to a variety of items – backpacking tents, camping tents and shelters, tube tents, or tarps and cord can all be considered a shelter. The shelter you choose will depend on the number of people in your party, your survival plan, and the climate where you live. The best all-around survival shelter is a 4-season backpacking tent. These tents are designed for year round use and portability. Camping tents may be suitable for those people who don’t require portability as they are larger, heavier, and harder to set up and tear down. Tube tents and makeshift tarp shelters are fast and easy to set up and tear down, and are easily portable as well as multifunctional items but they’re really only suitable for mild climates.

In addition to your shelter, you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary accessories like tent pegs, extra cord, and tarps for ground cover.

Sleeping

There are plenty of sleeping gear items available to make your nights more restful and safe. Like your shelter choices, the gear you choose will reflect your survival plan, climate, and personal preferences. The amount of sleeping gear you choose to have will depend in large part on the amount of space you have in your pack or vehicle.

An appropriately rated sleeping bag for the climate you plan to be in is one of the most common gear items. A sleeping bag can be lined with a sleeping bag liner to make it warmer, drier, and more comfortable. In warmer climates a hammock and mosquito netting may be used in addition to or take the place of a sleeping bag.

A sleeping pad or mat is an indispensible item in any climate. A sleeping pad or mat provides an additional layer of insulation between you and your sleeping bag as well as an additional layer of padding. Sleeping mats are relatively compact and very lightweight.

Emergency blankets and bags are not necessary for sleeping but are great to have on hand in any bug out bag, of emergency kit. Emergency blankets can provide temporary shelter and warmth in any situation. Emergency blankets and bags are water and wind proof and can be used as extra protection against unexpected weather or in an emergency situation where you lack proper shelter and sleeping gear.

Portable beds such as air mattresses or cots can provide additional comfort and safety that could translate into better sleep, more energy, and better chances of survival. While portable beds are not suitable for carrying in a pack, they are ideal if you plan to retreat to a prepared location.

One thing is sure – in any sort of emergency or survival situation tensions and stress levels will be running high. Protection from the elements and the best night’s sleep possible will give you the best chance of surviving and thriving in the face of a disaster or emergency situation.